“Lay Servant Ministries” title better reflects leadership possibilities

The United Methodist Church’s constitution was recently amended to use the title, “Lay Servant Ministries” for the program that provides training and experiences to equip professing members to respond to their personal calls to ministry. (The program previously was known as “Lay Speaking Ministries.”)

The new title better reflects the broad scope of activities available to UMC “laity.” (“Lay” refers to anyone who is not clergy.)

The opportunities to serve go beyond filling in for the pastor or speaking in public. Teaching, serving, training, participating, leading, caring, loving and communicating are integral aspects of the Lay Servant Ministries.

The training helps disciples become aware of their unique gifts and how to use those gifts to inspire others to a deeper commitment to Christ and more effective discipleship.

Only our imagination and openness to the creative Spirit of God limits the ways in which lay servants can help UMC congregations fulfill the mission of “making disciples and transforming the world.”

To learn more about the Lay Servant Ministries program, please see Pastor Edrye.